The Las Vegas Raiders aren't done bolstering their offense personnel ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
In February, the Raiders hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their head coach. The front office then got him a true game changer in the trenches by signing Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million contract. He should help make life a bit easier for running back Ashton Jeanty.
On Tuesday night, the Raiders proved they're truly committed to improving their offense by adding an experienced coach to Kubiak's staff.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Raiders are hiring longtime NFL assistant Mike Sullivan as their quarterbacks coach.
Sullivan, 59, has already worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. He had the chance to work with former No. 1 overall pick Eli Manning during the early stages of his career with the Giants.
Barring a shocking trade, the Raiders are expected to use the No. 1 pick on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. That means Sullivan will get to work with another potential-packed gunslinger.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.
Is Mendoza to the Raiders a lock?
Kubiak was previously asked if Mendoza will be the pick for the Raiders at No. 1 overall. As you'd imagine, he refused to answer that question.
“What an opportunity,” Kubiak said. “To get to go study this draft, and we’ll come to that conclusion here soon. There’s a lot of work to done before then, but it’s another opportunity to make the roster better. Not only do you have the first-overall pick, but you’re picking early in all the other rounds, too. Looking forward to attacking that process.”
The Raiders know they need a long-term answer at quarterback. While drafting Mendoza wouldn't guarantee immediate success, he would give the franchise hope.
